Let’s Make Sure His Love Wins

June 29, 2015

My husband and I were up late last night talking about the recent Supreme Court ruling that made same-sex marriage the law of the land. But we weren’t talking about the ruling itself, instead we were talking about our frustration with all of the comments and discussions we’d already seen all over the news, the web, and our own social media feeds. And the most unsettling part of all was how this attempt to support love has caused so much hate.

It seems this new law has undoubtedly inspired an enormous amount of anger, bitterness, and divide. There is a growing divide not only between many of the law’s supporters and Christians, but also within the Christian community.

And my fear is that, as Christians, we will forget the trail that Christ blazed for us. We will let anger, frustration, and bitterness push more people away from the truth than draw them to it.

So, let’s make sure that doesn’t happen. Let’s make sure that despite this ruling, we remember that His law is greater than any law created by man. Let’s remember that this news did not take God by surprise. He knew this day would come. And you know what else? He still holds all the power in his hands, his promises still hold true, and he still reigns over all. Let’s know in our hearts that we can trust in Him enough to let go of the anger, and let’s make sure that His love wins.

Because do you know what Jesus didn’t do when he came across someone who didn’t follow him or share his beliefs? He didn’t shake his head in disgust. He didn’t threaten them, belittle them, or call them names. He also didn’t avoid them, ignore them, or let himself be silenced.

Instead, he showed compassion, he had dinner with them, and he befriended them. He didn’t condone their sinful behavior, but he met them right where they were at, and he loved them.

Yes, he hated sin. But Jesus loved the sinners.

And when I think of what is going on in our nation today, I think of the story of the woman who was brought to Jesus by the Pharisees after being caught in the act of adultery (punishable by death). Jesus told the accusers in John 8:7, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And when not one person was left to cast the first stone, Jesus did not condemn this woman either. Instead, he simply told her to leave and sin no more. In John 12:47 he further explains himself when he says, “If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.”

Just like that verse says, Jesus did not come to judge the world, he came to save it.

And he didn’t do that by spreading anger and hate. No. Instead, he loved so fiercely, that he was willing to give his own life and bear the weight of all our sins. He gave his life for the adulterers, the liars, the murderers. He did it for every single sinner. He did it for you and for me.

And yes, one day he will return, and one day we will all be judged. We will all be held accountable for our actions, for our acceptance of the truth and his sacrifice, or our rejection of it. And in the meantime, let’s try to live by his example.

Let’s do our best to spread his truth instead of judgement. Let’s stop casting stones. Before we continue to make assumptions, speak out of anger, and let our frustration get the best of us, let’s just take a second to remember that we are all sinners.

And furthermore, let’s hear each other out. Let’s take a walk in someone else’s shoes. Not so that we can throw our convictions to the wayside, but so that we can better speak to one another’s hearts. Maybe then we can more lovingly share God’s word with others. Maybe then we can come from a place of caring more genuinely about another’s soul. Maybe then the truth will have a fighting chance.

Let’s stop hating, and start loving with a Christ-like love.

Let’s make sure His love wins.

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Absolutely! Beautifully written, as usual. I posted a little snippet of a video on my personal Facebook page earlier, basically talking about the same thing. Thank you so much for sharing so eloquently.

Thank You for these reminders! I have been wrestling with all of this myself–I feel like there is SO much freedom and liberty that I somehow have lost my voice / opinion in the whole debate for fear of being judged / hated for my own personal stance. The irony of it all! #HISloveisperfect and is the only truth that can bring freedom and liberty as HE transforms our thoughts and lives!

Yes! Such a beautifully written post. As Christians, we know that this is not our forever home. This is a sinful world and we will stand ut because of our beliefs and lifestyle, but we are called to love – above all else. No matter what.

You wrote this beautifully and I do appreciate the reminder. I think Casting Crowns has a song that has a similar message and I always love hearing it to be reminded that none of us are perfect to be careful about judging others. I think that the social storm of this topic has caused some of us, even Christians, to lose sight of the bigger picture…which, of course, is to point folks to Christ. Be the light! Thanks for writing this. :)

I very much enjoyed your post. I wrote something similar yesterday. Though I am saddened by the ruling, you are exactly right. God was not surprised, or scared, or thrown for a loop. He is bigger and better than that.

I LOVE ALL OF THIS. You and are very alike in a lot of ways. I agree. We may not like what people are posting and saying but what we need to remember is that Christ loves ALL. If we unfriend somebody because of their views what does that say about us? W

Marielle! This is exactly everything I’ve been wanting to say but have had difficulty putting into as beautiful words as you have written. I stumbled across you on IG and I’m so glad that I did. I plan on sharing this with many people and want to thank you again for your faith and gift of writing. Beautifully said! See you over on IG :) -Kellie (@withfaithloveandcoffee)

I stumbled upon while looking for an image of “His love wins” because that is a phrase that has been running through my mind as well since the SCOTUS ruling. I have seen other article similar to this, and while I totally agree with love the sinner/hate the sin, I struggle with what it is the definition of showing love and expressing hate really are. Yes, have conversations, listen with your heart, be Jesus to each other. What a tremendous opportunity many Christian vendors have to do just that. If I were a business that was being solicited to offer services for a gay wedding, I would welcome the opportunity to say, “I would love to talk with you about that.” Then have a sit down conversation about the Gift of God’s Word, what it says, for ALL sinners, for all people. Share His Gift of the Word in a compassionate way. I’d welcome that couple with open arms in every way possible, just not with the celebration of the marriage.
I don’t mean to be a Debbie Downer on all of this, but I do feel that we need to be specific when it comes to “showing love.” Build relationships, reach out, tear down walls, have conversations, and when the opportunity arises, don’t overlook sin, but and be faithful to the Word and address it, first and foremost, BECAUSE you love.
I think this might be what you are already expressed in your article, but sometimes I’m a little “thick” and don’t always see the obvious ;P, so I jump in and add it. :)

Yes exactly, I totally agree, Denise! – “Build relationships, reach out, tear down walls, have conversations, and when the opportunity arises, don’t overlook sin, but and be faithful to the Word and address it, first and foremost, BECAUSE you love.”

I’m Marielle! I’ve been married to my hilarious husband for 6 years, & together we have a little girl who wakes up with annoyingly perfect ringlets, a little boy who believes his sole purpose in life is to climb every unstable surface in our home, and a baby girl who's so chill, it's scary and awesome all at once. I love to drink caffeine, to pretend the things I write on my cell phone while feeding a baby at 2 am are super profound, and to wear old baggy sweatshirts like it’s my dang job. Read More